My brother Tom was born in Philadelphia, PA on July 16, 1949. The family in those days used  call him "Butchie" - don't know why. His early years were spent in Southern New Jersey, in a place called Bargaintown, an area at the time full of tomato farms. We had many a tomato fight in those fields.
In 1967 the family moved to Jacksonville, and he was a resident ever since.
In the latter part of 1969, Tom was drafted. He then decided to join the Army Rangers. He was with the 2/75 Ranger Battalion, spent a tour in Viet Nam that including jaunts into Cambodia.  He was highly decorated and received a Purple Heart. When I was stationed at NAS Lakehurst I would visit him at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital as he was recovering from his wounds. I remember he would go around on his wheel chair just balancing on the back wheels...I always admired that talent.
It took him several years to settle down (PTSD, etc.) after he left the Army. They tried to make him a drill Sergeant at Fort Dix but that did not work out.  They did not have the follow-up programs for Vets as they do today...different times for sure.
He spent several years doing non-normal jobs, including a few as a Hard-Hat Diver...a skill he said he learned in the Army as a Ranger. He had two sons, Thomas and Charles. Sadly, Charles passed away about two years ago after a brief illness. He finally settled down, very happily married to Linda for over 20+ years, and they created a wonderful home in Orange Park.
He worked at least 20 years for the government at Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville. He was a lead crane operator responsible for loading equipment and supplies on all the Naval war ships on the base.
He loved to dress up for Halloween and Christmas and would volunteer as a Santa Claus around Christmas...he had a real white beard to pull on.
He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles. 
He loved to laugh and have a good time, he had many friends.
Everybody I know loved him...may he Rest In Peace.

I wish I could say Tom was like a father to me because I have no memory of mine so I don't know what it feels like, But if there was someone in this universe I could choose to be like, someone who I would want to make proud of me it' was Tom (Pops) is how I addressed him. . Pops had the heart of an explorer and the soul of a poet. I know he would understand when I say death is that state in which one exists only in the memory of others which is why it is not an end...no goodbyes...just good memories. 

Tom Thurston has been my friend since back in the late 70s . We actually  went to the same high school. We both served ou country in the army in Viet Nam. Tom was wounded  over there and received  a purple heart medal. Those injuries  plagued  him the rest of his life. We rode a lot o f miles together  and had some great times. We worked for many  years together  at mayport naval station  . Tom was a rigger on a crane team and was always ready to help others. He was quick to smile and joke around with . Everyone  liked Tom  he had a big heart and loved life.       All who knew him will miss him        I will truly miss my friend  and brother.

TOM WAS A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE. WORKED WITH HIM AT MAYPORT NAVAL BASE CRANE. CREW!! HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND,  ALWAYS  HAD JOKES,  WE ALL STILL REPEAT SOME OF THEM TODAY, HE WAS A VETERANS,  VETERAN!! ALWAYS  REMINDED ME OF THE NAVY'S BIRTHDAY,  EVEN THOUGH,  HE WAS ARMY AND I WAS NAVY. LOVED HIS LSU TIGERS, MORE THAN ANYTHING,  EXCEPT  HIS WIFE  LINDA, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY,  LINDA STAY STRONG AND KNOW THAT YOU WERE THE LIGHT OF HIS LIFE!

My heart is greatly saddened, you were a great man and will be missed dearly. The laughs and memories shared with you and Linda will never be forgotten. Chuck and I always looked forward to Linda's Sunday dinners and the tupperware dilemmas the laughs we shared are precious to me. I can only hope you  are with  Chuck now, and you  no longer  have any pain .  Rest in peace Tom, you were loved  and respected, and I was proud to call you my father in law.  Love you Tom. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Thurston; son, Thomas E. Thurston; 2 brothers: Bill Thurston and Bucky Ward; 2 sisters: Earlene Thurston and Loretta Thurston; step-father, Brady Ward; 2 grandchildren: Charles Thurston and Abigale Thurston; and a host of extended family and friends.

OBITUARY

Thomas Earl Thurston

July 16, 1949 – November 23, 2020

Hardage-Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home

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